title: A video-based learning activity is effective for preparing physiotherapy students for practical examinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine a video-based learning activity for engaging physiotherapy students in preparation for practical examinations and determine student performance outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-method employing qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary education facility on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physiotherapy students in their first year of a two-year graduate entry program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire-based surveys and focus groups were used to examine student perceptions and satisfaction. Surveys were analysed based on the frequency of responses to closed questions made on a 5-pont Likert scale, while a thematic analysis was performed on focus group transcripts. t-Tests were used to compare student awarded marks and examiner awarded marks and evaluate student performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-two physiotherapy students participated in the study. Mean response rate for questionnaires was 93% and eight students (13%) participated in the focus group. Participants found the video resources effective to support their learning (98% positive) and rating the video examples to be an effective learning activity (96% positive). Themes emergent from focus group responses were around improved understanding, reduced performance anxiety, and enjoyment. Students were, however, critical of the predictable nature of the example performances. Students in the current cohort supported by the video-based preparation activity exhibited greater practical examination marks than those from the previous year who were unsupported by the activity (mean 81.6 SD 8.7 vs. mean 78.1 SD 9.0, p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A video-based learning activity was effective for preparing physiotherapy students for practical examinations and conferred benefits of reduced anxiety and improved performance.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Griffith Health Institute, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: b.weeks@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Benjamin K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Sean A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Horan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D004521:Educational Measurement; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: Assessment; Blended learning; Clinical education; Physical Therapy; Physiotherapy; Video